Disclaimer: I've already said that none of this is mine, now on with the show.

Okay, I need to apologize. I asked you a few questions, but I'm not using many suggestions. Aaron will have his bit, but differently.

Max POV

I walked out of the locker room and almost ran into Aaron. I took a hasty step backward as he said, "Hey Kate. You looked great against Nick just now."

"Oh, thanks," I muttered distractedly, trying to see around him for Fang. I needed an excuse to escape Aaron's flirty, no-good, pig company. The pig continued, "You know, I think sporty girls are pretty hot. And you-"

I caught sight of Sam. It wasn't quite as convenient as Fang, but good enough. I told Aaron, "I have to go. See you on Monday." A moment later, I exclaimed, "Hi Sam!" Wow. I sound really enthusiastic. How odd.

He replied, "Hey, Ma-"

I interrupted, "In company, call me Kate."

"Oh, okay, Kate. So, I was wondering if you were planning on going to the soccer game and if so if you would like to go with me."

Is that a question? "Er, that would be fun. So, I'll meet you at the game at four."

"Sure, or you could get there early and we could…"

He trailed off as if expecting me to fill the rest in. I told him, "I still have to tell my family. Bye."

I spotted Fang and Iggy and hauled them off to the middle school where we picked up Nudge. Ella was with her. She said, "Can't you carry me when you fly? Just this once? Please!!"

I was about explain the difficulty when Iggy said, "It is a Friday. We can split your weight between two of us. I don't think you'll have as much fun that way, but your safety comes first."

I stared at the occurring events and then it clicked: some body had a crush! I didn't mind too much, I agreed for a change, "Fine."

----

Soon, we were walking across the field that separated the high school from the elementary. I didn't realize that I was smiling for no reason until Fang leaned over and whispered, "What's with the happy-glow?"

I found myself stuck for words. Not again! I squeaked out, "Uh, I'm excited for the soccer game the after noon. I'm gonna' go. Anyone else want to come?" I purposely aimed the question at the whole group and neglected mentioning Sam.

Iggy replied sarcastically, "I'm sure I would have loads of fun watching the game. You know, with my blind eyes."

Nudge explained, "Ella and I are watching a movie tonight."

Ella added, "We would have invited you, but it isn't really your thing."

"That's fine." I waved it away. "So I'll go alone."

Fang put a hand over my mouth, "Not so fast. I'll go." He murmured softly.

I put my teeth on his hand, not biting, and he released me. I told him casually, "Sam is going to be there. I said that I would meet him."

Fang let one eye brow rise, but stayed otherwise emotionless. Luckily, Nudge, Ella and Iggy had returned to their conversation, so they didn't notice.

With perfect timing they reached the elementary and I led the way inside to the office where Angel and Gazzy were waiting. Impatiently I signed them out before I could hug them over and check them for injuries. Gazzy had a paper-cut, but he probably hadn't even told the teacher; he's suffered worse.

We all trouped outside and walked to the woods. I asked, "How were you days?"

Angel told me, "I love play time."

Gazzy said, "Math class is really easy. Iggy taught me how to do all of this already." I should have known. All of that bomb making had finally paid off.

"Well, don't tell the teacher that. We're trying to blend in."

Fang snorted. He actually snorted. I shot him an incredulous look. "What?"

"We're not doing a very good job. After gym class, everyone knows that you and I are quite physically fit. By Monday all of the sports teams will be after us. Not to mention, you're very popular."

This time, I snorted, "Fang, I have one friend. All of the other girls have labeled me a tom-boy."

Fang's voice got quieter, "I wasn't talking about the girls. The guys, have, umm, noticed your figure and face."

I snapped, "Aaron is obnoxious."

He still had more, "Aaron isn't alone."

I was fed up with this. "Just drop it, Fang." I quickly turned to the rest of the group, "Alright we're going to take off now. Ella, Iggy and I are each going to hold onto one of your arms. We'll do a running take off. Try to keep up with us. Ready, Ig?"

"Yup."

"GO!" We ran, extended our wings and beat them hard. Definitely more difficult than usual, but manageable. I think my wings were in danger of popping out of their sockets, but we did it!

Ella cried out in delight. I'm surprised we didn't pull her arms off.

Now, the others joined us in the sky.

---

The trip home was just as fast as yesterday. The only difference was that I was happy to land today. Ella was weighing us down and it wasn't pleasant.

However the worst was yet to come. When we entered the kitchen Mom skipped her hello and cried, "Never scare me like that again; you do not go in the sky if you don't have wings, Ella, and shame on you for bringing her up there! Now, all three of you go to your rooms."

I wouldn't let my authority be over shadowed, I told Iggy, "Obey. I will, so you will, too. By the way, Mom, I'm going to the soccer game at four. So is Fang." Ha.

We went upstairs, but I didn't feel as suppressed as Iggy and Ella. I was going out, later.

At three-thirty, I released myself and went to knock on Fang's door. He answered immediately. He said, "I'll be ready in just a minute." He grabbed his wind breaker. The one that matched mine.

On our way out, I apologized to my Mom and (cringe) agreed to go shopping tomorrow. The flock needed clothes, and so did I. I was tired of wearing Ella's.

----

When we finally arrived at the game, Sam was standing by the concession stand, waiting for me. He frowned, "Hey Max. I thought this was a date. Are we going to be doubling now?"

Fang replied instead, "No." Of course it was a one word answer. However, it did answer both. Despite that, I think Sam was under the impression that it only addressed his second question.

He said, "I got you hot chocolate, Max."

"Oh, thanks. That's so nice of you." I took the cup he offered me. Did I just see Fang's jaw tighten? "Let's go find seats."

Our seats were half way up. Not bad. After first quarter ended Fang muttered to me, "I'll be right back."

After he was out of ear-shot, Sam asked, "What's with him?"

I replied unsteadily, "Nick and I are very close. He probably doesn't like having to share me. We're also very protective of each-other."

"Oh, so there isn't anything between you two?" The question was innocent, but it made me mad. He was scheming clearly. He must be. I can't trust anyone. I clenched the bench I was sitting on.

He noticed my reluctance to reply and said, "But it's okay if you don't want to talk about it."

I still didn't say anything. Then, I saw Fang coming back. I smiled and waved to him.

When he reached us, He handed me two slices of pizza, explaining, "I figured you would be hungry." I noticed that Sam didn't get any although it looked as if Fang had enough to feed a party. This didn't surprise me; he had never liked Sam.

As the game continued, none of us spoke. Suddenly, Darrell got a break-away and scored the first goal. I cheered along with the rest of the crowd. Then, I turned to smile at Sam and said, "This is a lot of fun." I promptly shoved more pizza in my mouth.

When the game took a break for half time, we followed the crowd, exiting the bleachers. With all the people around, Sam and I were suddenly separated from Fang. Years of instinct and danger kicked in and I started to freak out, combing the crowd. I jumped slightly as Sam laid a hand on my arm. He murmured, "Calm down."

He led me behind the bleachers, talking soothingly the whole time. When we were away from the majority of the people he said, "You know, I've missed you a lot. We got along so great back in Virginia. You seem different, but I think we can still have that."

He was very close. I think some one was approaching. I was on hyper aware, but not quite clued into the meaning of his words. All directions were possible escape routes, possible directions in which Fang could have gone. Sam's face was filling my vision.

Suddenly, my brain remembered the three other times a guy's face had been this close to mine. Then, his lips were on mine. It was different than the first time he'd kissed me because that had been my first kiss. Now, I had also been kissed by Fang, but I can't think of that. However, the kiss was short because something suddenly slammed into Sam, pushing him away from me.

Battle instincts and adrenaline took over my body. I moved to attack, but the familiarity of the dark figure registered than. Instead, I was forced to cry, "Nick! What are you doing?!"

He and Sam were both standing facing each other now, waiting for the other to make a move. Sam asked roughly, "What is your problem?"

Fang didn't say anything to that. Instead he cried, "How dare you lay one on her?! And in public, no less!"

Sam snapped, "I've kissed her before and this is far more out of the way than the other side."

People stopped to watch. I didn't like this. I wished that nothing had happened. I wished my mom had the power to ground me. Then, low-and-behold, my luck got worse. First my voice came back, "You shouldn't get yourself into these kinds of situations to begin with." Then, Aaron stepped out of the spectators.

He said, "Neither of you has an actual claim to her. It was true, but I didn't like it coming from him. Fang told him, "I don't have a claim to her, but she has a claim to me." Well, as flock leader, I do.

Sam cried, "So have both of you kissed her, too?"

Fang and Aaron replied at the same time, "NO."

I broke in, "Just leave it be and we can all go home."

Fang said, "Sorry, M-Kate, but that's not how guys take care of things."

I couldn't believe I was hearing this. Sam said, "First to fold is out." Sam, the same one as from Virginia just said that. I can't believe this. None of them even asked my opinion, the pigs!

They chose a very unusual way to start their fight. Fang moved quickly and kissed me, opening himself up to the first blow. Sam punched him in the head. Not believing this, I kicked Sam in the stomach. Surprised, he fell back. Meanwhile, Aaron was trying to get the next blow in on Fang, who grabbed the offending fist and used his other hand to give him a bloody nose.

We were going to be in sooooo much trouble.

Hehe. Evil cliffie. I might and might not post again soon because I have an original novel to work on writing, but I do have more free time this week.

I need ideas. Who should "loose" the fight? What do you want their punishments to be? From Dr. Martinez? From the principal?

Review please.